Combination drapery track and side wall mounting bracket

ABSTRACT

A single or multiple drapery track and mounting bracket therefor. A cooperating locking latch is provided for mounting the track to the bracket quickly and without using tools. The track has a longitudinal bead along one edge and a dependant wall spaced therefrom. The dependant wall has an outer inclined face having at least one longitudinal notch. The mounting bracket is generally L-shaped, the horizontal leg carrying a downwardly opening curl of size and configuration to receive the bead. The other leg has an inwardly canted strut or tongue of limited resilience. The mounting bracket is first installed on a vertical wall and the longitudinal bead of the support engaged within the curl. The track is pivoted toward the horizontal leg of the bracket forcibly flexing the tongue until it is tightly engaged within the notch. To dismount the track, the tongue is manually flexed until free of the notch and then, the track is pivoted in the reverse direction until free of the bracket.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to drapery track systems and moreparticularly provides, in combination, a drapery track and side wallmounting bracket therefor having cooperating snap-in latch means forrapidly engaging and disengaging the track from the bracket withoutrequiring removing the bracket from its installation.

There are many types of drapery support tracks known in the art. Suchtracks are generally installed at or near the ceiling of a room tosupport draperies or room divider panels suspended from the track, foraesthetic and/or utilitarian purposes.

The drapery track may include one or more channels in which carriermembers are movable. The drapery panels are provided with pins, hooks,snaps or other suitable fasteners at spaced locations therealong forengagement with the carriers and for supporting the panels from thetracks. The drapery support track may be directly attached to a supportsurface, as by wall brackets.

Available wall brackets generally include a cantilever member havingclamping means to which the support track is secured, generally bymanipulation of fastening means. Such members are generally L-shaped anda separate clamp means. Not only must the bracket be fastened to thewall or ceiling, but the drapery support track must be fastened to theclamp part of the bracket assembly. This is time consuming and oftendangerous since the installer usually is required to stand at the top ofa ladder, hold the track support and manipulate tools, such as at leasta screwdriver, to fasten the track to the bracket. Further, theinvention provides a mounting bracket for a drapery track which includesa novel load support strut which greatly rigidified and strengthens thebracket while under the load of a drapery track with suspended draperypanels. If the bracket location must be changed, the track must bedisengaged from the bracket thus encountering the same difficulties asduring installation. Thus, there is a recognized need for a safer andmore improved mounting bracket and track combination which will enablethe track to be more easily and rapidly engaged and disengaged.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

There is provided a drapery track having at least one channel forslidably receiving carrier members for supporting drapery panels, saidtrack having opposite parallel longitudinal faces, the mounting bracketand track having cooperating means for releasably mounting said track ina snap-in connection. In particular, a longitudinal bead is providedalong one longitudinal face of said track and a conforming socket forreceiving the bead is formed on the mounting bracket. An elongatelongitudinal notch is formed along the opposite face of said track andsupport strut or tongue of limited resilience is integral with thebracket, which is engagable within the notch in a snap-in connection forrigidifying and strengthening the assembled components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view, partially in section, of a drapery trackand mounting bracket therefor according to the invention and illustratedinstalled on a wall;

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional view taken through the drapery trackand mounting bracket assembly of FIG. 1 and illustrating the track inthe process of being installed in phantom outline;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional detail of the snap-inconnection between the strut and track according to the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a transverse sectional view of the drapery track and mountingbracket of FIG. 1 illustrating the track in the process of beingdisengaged from the bracket at said snap-in connection.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, the drapery track and mounting bracket thereforembodying the invention is designated generally by reference character10. The drapery track 12 preferably is formed as an elongated extrusionwhich may be of any desired length. The track 12 is of a generallyrectangular cross-sectional configuration and includes at least onechannel formation. Suitable albeit slightly different types of draperycarrier members 13, 15 are illustrated slidably received within tracks14 and 16 respectively for supporting fasteners such as pins eyelets andthe like secured along the upper edge of draperies in a conventionalmanner. In the illustrated embodiment, a pair of depending channelformations 14, 16 are shown extending along the length of track 12. Thechannels 14, 16 are defined by parallel outer facing side walls 18, 20and respective parallel inner facing walls 22, 24 associated with arespective adjacent outer facing side wall. Each respective adjacentside wall 18, 20 and 22, 24 is formed with a right angle flange 26, 28and 30, 32 respectively. The flanges 28 and 26 are opposite each otherand spaced apart to provide the elongated gap 34 in the channel 14. Theflanges 30 and 32 likewise are opposing and spaced apart to provide theelongate gap 36 into channel 16. There is a transverse wall 38 acrossthe width of the track 12 and opposite the gaps 34 and 36 therebyclosing the said channels. The channels 14 and 16 are separated fromeach other by the intermediate segment 38' of transverse wall 38. Thecarriers 13 and 15 are slidably in the respective channels supported onsaid flanges or ledges.

Each of the side walls 18, 24 of track 12 is provided with means on anouter face thereof for releasable engagement with selected elements ofthe mounting bracket 40. The side wall 18 is provided with alongitudinal bead 42 extending along the length of the side wall 18. Thebead 42 is of uniform geometric shape, preferably convex inconfiguration. The side wall 24 has an outer face 44 formed with atleast one elongated longitudinal notch 46 defining a seat, preferablyangled inwardly toward the side wall 18 and coextensive with said sidewall 24.

The mounting bracket 40 is formed preferably of relatively heavy guagemetal by stamping and comprises an integral body having a generallyL-shaped cross sectional configuration with a first leg or segment 50joined with a second leg or segment 52 along folds 54. The segment 50 isadapted to be secured to the vertical surface 48 and can be providedwith apertures 56 for receiving suitable fasteners 58. The secondsegment 52 is horizontally oriented and adapted to overlie the wall 38of track 12. Segment 52 includes side marginal areas 60 which are curledupwardly to provide additional strength.

The strut or tongue 64 is formed during the stamping process formingmounting bracket 40 by striking the tongue from the segments 50 and 52,leaving a cut-out portion 61 and connecting portion 63 carrying folds54. The strut 64 is canted in the direction of the second segment 52 sothat an angle of from 25° to 50° is defined between the strut 64 and theplane of the second segment 52. The strut 64 has a free end 66 extendingtoward but spaced from the second segment 52.

The stamping process forms a burr 68 along the free end 66 of the tongue64 so as to form a sharp edge 70 and a curl or smooth edge 72 whicheffectively minimizes the loss of effective bearing area occasioned byreducing the length of the contact area of the free end 66 such as byreducing the length of the surface 46b of notch 46. The tongue 64 is oflimited resilience capable of being flexed toward the second segment 52along an ar BC without reaching the elastic limit of the metal at thejuncture 76. Point B is located at the rest location of the burr 68 oftongue 64 in notch 46 after installation. Point C is located at thejunction 76 of the tongue 64 and segment 50. The tongue 64 is providewith side-wings 78 to eliminate the likelihood that the drapery panelwill snag against the sharp edge 70 of the tongue 64.

The second segment 52 of mounting bracket 40 is formed with longitudinalcurl 80 at its free end, the curl being capable of engaging the bead 42formed along the wall 18 of track 12. The curl 80 preferably has acurvature generally conforming to the curvature of the bead 42 so thatthe latter can be fitted within the curl 80 and define a pivot P forswingable engagement with the bead 42 during installation of the track12. The engagement of the curl and bead is sufficiently secure toprovide support for the track 12 along one side thereof.

The first step in the installation of the track 12 is to insert bead 42within curl 80 and the rotate track 12 to pivot the same about the pointP along an arc PB until the wall 38 is parallel to under surface 52' ofthe second segment 52 of mounting bracket 40. During the course oftravel of the track 12 about pivot point P and along the arc PB, thefree end 66 of the tongue 64 engages the face 44 of wall 24 and is urgedthereagainst, causing the tongue 64 to flex toward the second segment 52along arc BC until the sharp edge 70 engages fully within the notch 46.When the tongue 64 and the notch 46 are so interengaged, the wall 38 oftrack 12 engages the undersurface 52' of the second segment 52 ofbracket 40. The track 12 is seated with the sharp edge 70 engaged fullyin notch 46. The tongue 64 tends to be biased in the opposite directionof its flexing motion, and hence digs into the notch 46. Any tendency ofthe track 12 to pivot in an opposite direction due to a load carriedthereby is prevented since the tongue 64 also tends to pivot in the samedirection, effecting a tighter engagement of tongue 64 within notch 46.

The outer face 44 of wall 24 can be provided with plural longitudinalauxiliary notches 46a parallel to notch 46 to provide as many incrementsas practically possible so as to compensate for possible variation intolerances which may be encountered in forming the track 12.

For cleaning, repair, replacement or other purposes, the track 12 may beselectively disengaged from mounting bracket 40 with dismounting thebracket. As shown in solid line in FIG. 4, an operator O, can applymoderate pressure force against the tongue 64 in the vicinity of thefree end 66 to flex the same upwardly toward segment until the sharpedge 70 clears the notches 46. The track 12 is pivoted along arc BP in adirection away from the segment 52 until released from the curl 80.

The invention is capable of considerable variation in structure,arrangement and size of various components by those skilled in the artwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as definedin the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A drapery track and mounting bracket therefor;(a) saidtrack comprising an elongated member of generally rectangularcross-sectional configuration and having at least one channel formationextending the length thereof, said channel having means for slidablyreceiving drapery carrier members therein including first and second,spaced outer side walls, a first outer side wall including a bead on theouter face thereof, and a second side wall including at least onelongitudinal notch formation on the outer face thereof; and (b) amounting bracket for said track comprising, a generally L-shaped bodyhaving a first segment adapted to be attached to a vertical supportsurface and a second segment adapted to overlie said track, said firstsegment including track retention means comprising a resilient tongueextending upwardly from said first segment toward said track forselectively engaging said notch formation in said track in a snap fitconnection, said second segment having a free end including a curlformation engageable with said bead.
 2. The combination as defined inclaim 1 wherein said second side wall is angled inwardly toward saidfirst outer sidewall.
 3. The combination as defined in claim 1 whereinsaid means comprises a tongue integral with said first segment whichdefines an angle in the range of about 25° to 50° with the plane of saidsecond segment of the mounting bracket.
 4. The combination as defined inclaim 1 wherein said notch opens outwardly and is formed as a stephaving a pair of walls meeting at a sharp intersection.
 5. Thecombination as defined in claim 4 wherein there is a plurality ofstepped notches arranged parallel longitudinally along said second outersidewall.
 6. The combination of claim 1 in which said curl and beaddefine a pivot coupling respectively.
 7. The combination of claim 6 inwhich said bead extends substantially the entire length of the track andis arranged to be engaged with the aligned curls of a plurality of likemounting brackets.
 8. The combination as defined in claim 6 wherein saidcurl has a generally concave cross-sectional configuration.
 9. Thecombination as defined in claim 6 wherein said bead is of a generallyconvex cross-sectional configuration.
 10. The combination as defined inclaim 1 wherein said means comprises a tongue integral with said firstsegment and having a free end engageable within said notch formation.11. The combination as defined in claim 10 in which said free end of thetongue has a burr formed thereon to provide a sharp edge for engagingfully within said notch.
 12. In combination:(a) a drapery support devicecomprising an elongated member of generally rectangular cross-sectionalconfiguration and having structure defining a select number of channelformations extending the length thereof, said channel formations havingmeans for receiving a plurality of individual drapery carrier memberstherein, structure including first and second, spaced apart outersidewalls with said select number of channel formations therebetween,said first sidewall including a longitudinal bead having a selectcross-sectional configuration on an outer face thereof and said secondsidewall including an outer face angled inwardly toward said firstsidewall and having at least one longitudinal notch therein; (b) amounting bracket for said drapery support device comprising a body ofgenerally L-shaped cross-sectional configuration, said bracket having afirst segment adapted to be attached to a vertical support surface and asecond segment adapted to overlay a rear wall of said drapery supportdevice, said first segment including a canted tongue integral with andstruck from said first segment having limited resilience and extendingtoward and spaced from said second segment with a free end for engagingwithin said longitudinal notch, said second segment including aninwardly bent curl on an outer end thereof, said curl having across-sectional shape generally corresponding to that of said bead. 13.The invention of claim 12 in which said second segment outer end isgenerally hook shaped.
 14. The invention of claim 12 in which said freeend of the tongue is releasably engaged against said second sidewall.